Hantsmoths

Uncommon, in damp grassland, water meadows, marshes, river-banks and damp areas in parts of southern England and south-eastern England. In Hampshire first reported at Wherwell in 1964, and now established in the upper valley of the River Test in damp woodland containing the larval foodplant, and also beginning to appear in the Itchen Valley. The only report from the Isle of Wight was back in 1999. Wingspan 27-30 mm. Occurs in two forms, a pale spring generation and a darker summer generation, the former most recalls Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata and Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata. Larva feeds on Orange Balsam, over-wintering as a pupa.